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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps
the Government is taking to (a) support local authorities managing and tackling elm
disease and (b) ensure that Brighton and Hove City Council has adequate support to
protect the National Elm Collection in the city.

<p>Landowners are responsible for managing the trees on their land. All Local Authorities,
including Brighton and Hove, have been provided with the legislative powers necessary
to safeguard the nation’s elm population and prevent the spread of elm disease. These
powers are set out in the Dutch Elm Disease (Local Authorities) Order 1984. They allow
officers (appointed by the Local Authority) who suspect the presence of this disease
to enter any land to inspect trees and take samples, and where disease is present,
to take action to eradicate it. Government has a strong risk-based biosecurity response
to reduce the pest and disease risk to trees involving comprehensive international
and domestic surveillance, stringent border biosecurity, robust contingency plans
and world leading research. Government invests over £30million per year on our plant
health service.</p><p> </p>

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many local
authorities in England have submitted data for 2019 on the number of licences they
have issued under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England)
Regulations 2018.

<p>Under regulation 29 of <em>The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving
Animals) (England) Regulations 2018</em> it is a requirement for local authorities
in England to submit specified information relating to licensable activities in their
respective areas. Such information should be submitted to the Secretary of State by
31 May for each preceding year 1 April to 31 March. Local authorities have submitted
information to the Secretary of State for this year and Defra is analysing the data.
We aim to publish the information later this year.</p>

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference
to the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations
2018, how many licences have been issued under those regulations in 2019 for (a) breeding
dogs, (b) providing or arranging for the provision of boarding for cats, (c) providing
or arranging for the provision of boarding for dogs in kennels, (d) providing or arranging
for the provision of day care for dogs, (e) hiring out horses, (f) selling animals
as pets and (g) keeping or training animals for exhibition.

<p>Under regulation 29 of <em>The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving
Animals) (England) Regulations 2018</em> it is a requirement for local authorities
in England to submit specified information relating to licensable activities in their
respective areas. Such information should be submitted to the Secretary of State by
31 May for each preceding year 1 April to 31 March. Local authorities have submitted
information to the Secretary of State for this year and Defra is analysing the data.
We aim to publish the information later this year.</p>

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference
to The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations
2018, what the (a) average fee and (b) lowest and highest charges for licences issued
in England in 2019 to date across all local authorities was for (i) breeding dogs,
(ii) providing or arranging for the provision of boarding for cats, (iii) providing
or arranging for the provision of boarding for dogs in kennels, (iv) providing or
arranging for the provision of day care for dogs, (v) hiring out horses, (vi) selling
animals as pets and (vii) keeping or training animals for exhibition.

<p>Under regulation 29 of <em>The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving
Animals) (England) Regulations 2018</em> it is a requirement for local authorities
in England to submit specified information relating to licensable activities in their
respective areas. Such information should be submitted to the Secretary of State by
31 May for each preceding year 1 April to 31 March. Local authorities have submitted
information to the Secretary of State for this year and Defra is analysing the data.
We aim to publish the information later this year.</p>

<p>Forestry is a devolved matter and these figures apply to England only.</p><p> </p><p>The
Government remains committed to planting 11 million trees this parliament, and to
the shared aspiration of reaching 12% woodland cover in England by 2060.</p><p> </p><p>We
have amended our main grant schemes to make applications easier by streamlining the
application processes, opening the Countryside Stewardship Woodland Creation window
all year round and reducing the threshold of applications from 30 hectares to 10 hectares
for Woodland Carbon Fund applications. We have invested £5.7 million in the new Northern
Forest; and announced a further £10 million for urban trees and £50 million for the
Woodland Carbon Guarantee scheme.</p><p> </p><p>We have planted approximately 16 million
trees in England since 2010, of which approximately 437,000 have been planted across
Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire.</p>

<p>There is no doubt that primates are complex creatures requiring specialist care.
I recently met with the owner of a leading specialist primate rescue centre who informed
me about the rising numbers they are having to take from private care. Given these
issues I am looking at the options for banning the trade altogether.</p><p> </p><p>In
the meantime, we have strict laws in place restricting the keeping of primates and
action can be taken if a primate is being kept in poor welfare conditions. Under the
Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to an
animal or to fail to provide for its welfare.</p><p> </p><p>The 2006 Act is backed
up by the statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Privately Kept Non-human Primates
that provides essential information for any primate keeper on how to meet the welfare
needs of the primates in their care. The Code is made under the 2006 Act and can be
used as evidence in court in support of a prosecution made under the 2006 Act.</p><p>
</p><p>If anyone has any concerns about the way a primate is being kept they should
report to the relevant local authority, who have powers to investigate such issues,
or to the RSPCA who can also investigate and take action.</p><p> </p><p>In addition
to the animal welfare controls, the keeping of most primates requires a licence under
the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (DWAA), which is issued by a local authority.
The DWAA licence is primarily to ensure public safety is protected.</p><p> </p><p>The
trade of primates is regulated through a Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species (CITES) licensing system. Under this system, the international, commercial
trade of the most endangered primates is prohibited, except under exceptional circumstances.
Whilst it is not in itself a welfare measure, CITES does contain welfare provisions
for the transport, keeping and moving of animals, including primates.</p>

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment
he has made of the potential merits of further restricting the keeping of primates
as pets beyond that set out in section 4 and section 9 the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

<p>There is no doubt that primates are complex creatures requiring specialist care.
I recently met with the owner of a leading specialist primate rescue centre who informed
me about the rising numbers they are having to take from private care. Given these
issues I am looking at the options for banning the trade altogether.</p><p>In the
meantime, we have strict laws in place restricting the keeping of primates and action
can be taken if a primate is being kept in poor welfare conditions. Under the Animal
Welfare Act 2006, it is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to an animal
or to fail to provide for its welfare.</p><p>The 2006 Act is backed up by the statutory
Code of Practice for the Welfare of Privately Kept Non-human Primates that provides
essential information for any primate keeper on how to meet the welfare needs of the
primates in their care. The Code is made under the 2006 Act and can be used as evidence
in court in support of a prosecution made under the 2006 Act.</p><p>If anyone has
any concerns about the way a primate is being kept they should report to the relevant
local authority, who have powers to investigate such issues, or to the RSPCA who can
also investigate and take action.</p><p>In addition to the animal welfare controls,
the keeping of most primates requires a licence under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act
1976 (DWAA), which is issued by a local authority. The DWAA licence is primarily to
ensure public safety is protected.</p><p>The trade of primates is regulated through
a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) licensing system.
Under this system, the international, commercial trade of the most endangered primates
is prohibited, except under exceptional circumstances. Whilst it is not in itself
a welfare measure, CITES does contain welfare provisions for the transport, keeping
and moving of animals, including primates.</p>

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent
discussions he has had with the British Egg Industry Council on food safety standards
for imported egg products after the UK leaves the EU.

<p>The Secretary of State has not had any recent discussions with the British Egg
Industry Council on food safety standards for imported egg products after the UK leaves
the EU. Food safety policy is the responsibility of the Food Standards Agency.</p><p>
</p>

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps
his Department is taking to (a) ensure that corporations adhere to regulations on
the declaration on packaging of the use of palm oil in their products and (b) enforce
other regulations on the use by those organisations of that oil in their products.

<p>The EU Regulation (1169/2011) on the Provision of Food Information to Consumers
requires that where vegetable oils or fats are listed in the ingredients of food,
the vegetable origin of the oil must be given (Annex VII, Part A.8.).</p><p> </p><p>Food
Business Operators are responsible for ensuring that the correct information is provided
on labels and that consumers are not misled.</p><p> </p><p>Along with all food information
regulations, these requirements are enforced by Trading Standards Officers.</p>

<p>The Government is committed to the conservation and protection of wildlife and
we play a leading role internationally in addressing threats to endangered species;
for instance through our membership of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Under our obligations as a party to CITES,
the Government regulates trade in listed endangered species into the UK under a permitting
regime; safeguarding such species from over-exploitation and with the aim of ensuring
that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten
their survival. Defra coordinates across policy, scientific authorities and enforcement
authorities, and engages closely with stakeholders in the UK, to ensure we continue
to deliver on our international commitments to protect endangered species under CITES.</p>

<p>Defra Ministers have had numerous meetings with their international counterparts
in the last year to discuss efforts to protect endangered species from unsustainable
and illegal trade and to follow up on commitments made at the international illegal
wildlife trade conference held in London last October.</p><p> </p><p>I look forward
to continuing discussions on this important issue when I meet with my international
counterparts in the future.</p><p> </p>

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans
she has to ensure that public services that (a) care homes, (b) schools, (c) hospitals
and (d) prisons will have adequate supplies of food in the event that the UK leaves
the EU without a deal.

<p>We remain focused on ensuring our smooth and orderly withdrawal from the EU with
a deal as soon as possible. As a responsible Government, for almost three years we
have been undertaking extensive work to prepare for a no deal scenario and minimise
disruption to ensure trade continues to operate smoothly from the day we leave.</p><p>
</p><p>The UK has a high degree of food security built on access to a range of sources,
including strong domestic production and imports from other countries. This will not
change whether we leave the EU with or without a deal. Defra, as the lead Government
department for food supply, has long established relationships with industry, and
we are working closely with key stakeholders to prepare for all scenarios.</p><p>
</p><p>Public sector food provision for specific sectors including hospitals, prisons,
schools and care settings is led by the relevant Government departments. However,
Defra has been working closely with lead departments (DfE, DHSC, MOJ, MOD) to support
their contingency planning for food supply to public services. Defra is providing
advice and support to these departments especially to support their engagement with
the food industry. Lead Government departments are engaging with key suppliers for
schools, hospitals and prisons to ensure the supply chain is prepared and supply is
maintained.</p>

<p>The Wild Animals in Circuses Act 2019 prohibits the use of wild animals as part
of a travelling circus in England. A wild animal is used in a travelling circus if
the animal performs or is exhibited as part of the circus. The Government has committed
to issue guidance covering, amongst other things, activities that it considers will
and will not be prohibited by the Act.</p>

<p>The Local Adaptation Advisory Panel (LAAP) acts as a forum for dialogue on climate
change adaptation between local government, central government and arm’s length delivery
bodies. The LAAP last met on 6 June.</p><p> </p>

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress
her Department has made on delivering a public information campaign alongside the
introduction of the ban on commercial third-party sales of puppies and kittens in
April 2020.

<p>The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) (Amendment)
Regulations 2019, known as ‘Lucy’s Law’, bans the commercial third party sales of
puppies and kittens and will come into force in April 2020. We intend to launch a
campaign focused on helping the public understand how to responsibly source a puppy
or kitten in early 2020, in the run up to the ban coming into force. The campaign
is currently under development.</p>

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reasons
there has been a change to permitted levels of gaseous tritium discharges at former
Magnox Nuclear Stations as a result of the operation of the waste encapsulation plants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she
will ensure that any forthcoming environmental legislation (a) sets out legally binding
targets for environmental protection, the progress of which must be reported on annually
by Government, (b) incorporates a non-regression principle to prevent backward steps
in the adoption and implementation of environmental laws and (c) establishes an independent
and adequately resourced environmental watchdog.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment
she has made of the potential merits of obligating all retailers to ensure that the
packaging of products sold can be recycled locally before stocking those products.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the national
online platform to enable the public to check vehicle compliance with Clean Air Zone
emissions standards is scheduled to be fully functioning and available to the public;
and for what reasons delivery of this platform by the Government has been delayed.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the
State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World's report which found that global
hunger has increased for the fourth year, what steps the Government is taking to (a)
tackle global hunger and (b) achieve the Sustainable Development Goal Two.

<p>The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report shows that
without significantly increased efforts the world will fall far short of achieving
the target of eradicating hunger by 2030. The UK is playing its part to ending hunger
and undernutrition through its substantial portfolio of humanitarian support and longer-term
responses to tackling chronic hunger and supporting food security by transforming
agriculture. We are aware that the international community needs to do more. We are
discussing opportunities for scaled-up and improved global interventions, including
the German-initiated proposal for a SDG2 moment in 2020, and are supporting the Government
of Japan in its preparations for the 2020 Nutrition for Growth Summit.</p>

<p>The UK Government recognises the importance of protecting rainforests and has a
long and proud history of supporting action to combat deforestation. The Government’s
25 Year Environment Plan, published last year, sets out work to protect the world’s
forests, support sustainable agriculture and move towards zero-deforestation supply
chains.</p><p> </p><p>Brazil is one of our priority countries for both climate change
and biodiversity engagement, and the UK Embassy in Brazil leads our engagement with
the Brazilian Government on the environment. We have been having positive discussions
with the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, who are keen
to continue our partnership to promote sustainable agricultural practices to combat
deforestation rates. The first phase of our Low-carbon Agriculture programme (£24.9
million), completed in May this year, reached over 18,500 beneficiaries in the Amazon
and Atlantic forest biomes and delivered a seven-fold increase in livestock productivity,
while avoiding the clearance of 175,000 hectares of land and reducing 52% of carbon
emissions. An additional £30 million has been committed to expand project activities
to a second phase, taking place in two other major biomes in Brazil – Cerrado and
Caatinga.</p><p> </p><p>Brazil will continue to be an important partner in negotiations
at the forthcoming UN climate summits in Chile this December (the 25<sup>th</sup>
Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP
25) and again at the significant COP 26 in late 2020, where we hope to raise the level
of global ambition on climate change five years on from the landmark Paris Agreement
in 2015.</p><p> </p><p> </p>

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans
her Department has in place to assist water companies with supplies of purification
chemicals in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps
her Department is taking to (a) protect red squirrels in Northumberland and (b) tackle
the damaging effect of the invasive grey squirrel species.